The Indian government has sought explanations from WhatsApp, Telegram, and Signal regarding their username features, citing serious concerns about potential impersonation and cybercrime. IT Secretary S Krishnan highlighted the risks, leading to notices being served to these platforms, with WhatsApp specifically asked to pause its rollout of the feature.
Jharkhand Assembly Speaker Rabindra Nath Mahato has called for the formulation of a more effective and stringent policy to curb cybercrimes, fraud, and digital scams. He highlighted the dual nature of artificial intelligence, which simplifies life but also presents serious challenges through misuse. Various experts and MLAs at a workshop emphasised the importance of cybersecurity education, personal digital responsibility, and empowering legislators to strengthen institutional resilience against cyber threats.
The CBI successfully coordinated the repatriation of Ganesh Balaso Kale, a cybercrime suspect from Thailand, and Vainket Garg, wanted for murder and other offences, from Georgia, demonstrating effective international law enforcement cooperation.
Gujarat's Deputy Chief Minister Harsh Sanghavi conducted a high-level review meeting to assess the state's security situation, with a focus on maintaining public safety and addressing cybercrime.
A new study analysing millions of posts from underground cybercrime forums reveals that cybercriminals are struggling to effectively utilise AI tools, despite widespread experimentation since the launch of ChatGPT.
Gurugram Police have arrested six individuals allegedly involved in a cybercrime racket that defrauded people through online gaming and betting platforms. The arrests followed a raid in Delhi's Janakpuri area, where authorities seized mobile phones, laptops, ATM cards, and other incriminating materials.
Sri Lankan police have arrested over 600 foreigners, including Indian nationals, this year for involvement in cybercrime operations, highlighting the country's vulnerability to international syndicates.
Sri Lankan police have arrested over 130 foreign nationals in a crackdown on alleged cybercrime operations across the island nation. The arrests, part of a wider effort to combat cross-border online fraud, took place in Colombo suburbs and involved individuals from various countries.
Gujarat's Director General of Police, KLN Rao, has emphasised the importance of a proactive approach in combating cybercrime, focusing on technology, coordination, and public awareness.
Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis has emphasised the need for the state police to enhance their preparedness in addressing modern challenges such as cybercrime and financial offences. He highlighted the importance of the police force in maintaining law and order and contributing to the state's economic progress during the closing ceremony of the 36th Maharashtra State Police Sports Competition.
The Maharashtra government has taken steps to combat the rise in investment-related cybercrimes, including arrests, enhanced cybersecurity measures, and public awareness campaigns.
Delhi Police arrested over 600 individuals and detained over 8,300 suspects during Operation CyHawk 4.0, a major crackdown on cybercrime. The operation targeted financial networks and call centres involved in online scams, recovering significant digital evidence and tracing defrauded money.
Kota police, under the 'Mule Hunter' campaign, have arrested two individuals for allegedly committing online fraud, targeting victims as far away as Murshidabad, West Bengal. The arrests followed an analysis of suspected mule accounts and mobile numbers, revealing fraudulent transactions and prompting charges under the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita and the IT Act.
Delhi Police arrested over 600 individuals and detained more than 8,000 suspects during Operation CyHawk 4.0, a major crackdown on cybercrime.
India's Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY) has sought an explanation from WhatsApp regarding its username feature, citing concerns over potential cybercrime facilitation. Concurrently, the ministry is investigating reported data leak allegations involving Tata Electronics, a key supplier for Apple's iPhone components in India. MeitY is also exploring techno-legal solutions for VPNs to address challenges posed by unregistered providers operating from outside India.
Delhi Police arrested over 600 people and rounded up over 8,300 suspects during Operation CyHawk 4.0, a large-scale crackdown on cybercrime.
The Supreme Court of India will hear a suo motu case concerning victims of digital arrest, a growing form of cybercrime where fraudsters impersonate officials to extort money from victims.
India's markets regulator, Sebi, has issued a warning to listed companies and regulated entities about an emerging cyber fraud known as the "Boss Scam." This scam involves fraudsters impersonating senior officials like CEOs or MDs to trick finance teams into transferring funds, often using advanced AI tools or malicious software. Sebi advises organisations to verify requests independently and report incidents to prevent financial losses.
Delhi Police arrested a 22-year-old woman for allegedly providing mule bank accounts to an interstate cybercrime network, recovering numerous ATM cards, cheque books, and electronic devices.
Uttar Pradesh DGP Rajeev Krishna stated that the state's law and order situation has significantly improved, with criminals losing their former confidence. He warned against anti-social elements using social media to intimidate and discussed ongoing probes into the Ayodhya Ram Mandir irregularities and the extradition of a drug trafficking kingpin. The DGP also highlighted the rising challenge of cybercrime and police efforts to combat it.
India's IT Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw has directed officials to summon Meta regarding Instagram ads promoting child sexual abuse material, following a BBC investigation. This action comes shortly after the government also questioned Meta about WhatsApp's planned username feature, citing concerns over increased online fraud and cybercrimes.
Delhi Police have arrested six individuals linked to interstate cybercrime syndicates involved in digital arrest, fake IPO, and trading scams, recovering millions of rupees.
Arshad Warsi can create an air of levity around anybody but Vir Hirani's stiff screen presence as Pritam Parkar has no vibe to match his peevish, pitiable Pedro Gonsalves, observes Sukanya Verma.
A man was arrested in Surendranagar, Gujarat, for allegedly posing as a deputy superintendent of police and using the false identity to commit cybercrimes and cheat people.
Union Home Minister Amit Shah on Thursday said the Centre is committed to curbing unnatural demographic growth caused by abnormal factors, such as infiltration, with a ruthless approach and a quadrangular security grid has been created for the purpose, transforming India's approach from reactive to proactive.
Meta-owned WhatsApp has submitted its reply to the government's notice on the "username" feature and the response is being examined, sources said on Thursday.
The Centre on Thursday informed the Delhi high court that the Telegram messaging app was being exploited for illegal activities ranging from cybercrime and financial frauds to terrorism and circulation of leaked examination papers.
Delhi Police have arrested two individuals from Haryana for their alleged involvement in facilitating cyber fraud through mule bank accounts. The arrests were made during an investigation into an online investment scam that defrauded a senior citizen of over Rs 1.69 lakh.
Gujarat police have uncovered cyber frauds worth Rs 2,289 crore and arrested 638 individuals as part of 'Operation Mule Account 1.0', a state-wide crackdown on online criminals launched in 2025.
Meta-owned WhatsApp has been granted more time to submit its response on the contentious 'username' feature and assured the government that it will not roll it out in India until discussions are complete, according to sources.
The government has issued a stern notice to Meta on Child Sexual Exploitative and Abuse Material (CSEAM) in paid advertisements on Instagram, sources said on Sunday.
Kerala Police chief Ravada Chandrasekhar highlighted cyber fraud as a serious social challenge, particularly targeting youth, during the inauguration of 'RBI Reelathon 2026'. This multi-phase awareness campaign by the Reserve Bank of India aims to engage college students in combating cyber financial frauds through creative content creation and timely reporting.
A 72-year-old retired nurse in Nagpur was cheated of Rs 90.65 lakh by cyber criminals who kept her under 'digital arrest' for several weeks, police said.
India's IT Ministry has issued notices to Telegram and Signal, following a similar action against WhatsApp, questioning their username features due to concerns over increased online fraud, phishing, and impersonation. The government is seeking explanations on how these platforms address such risks, with one homegrown app already disabling the feature.
A court in Kolkata granted bail to Bangla Pokkho's founder, Garga Chatterjee, who was arrested for allegedly spreading misinformation through social media posts during the West Bengal Assembly elections.
Over 700 doctors in Telangana have collectively lost nearly Rs 30 crore to various cyber frauds since September 2024, prompting the Telangana Cyber Security Bureau to hold an awareness meeting for healthcare professionals. Business and investment frauds accounted for the largest share of losses.
Two individuals have been arrested in Jharkhand's Giridih district for their alleged involvement in freeing a cybercriminal and damaging a police vehicle during a raid. A police team attempting to arrest Chudaman Mandal was attacked by a group of miscreants, leading to Mandal's escape and damage to the police vehicle. An FIR has been lodged against 21 named and 25 unidentified persons, with further raids underway.
WhatsApp has asserted that username reservation relating to well-known public figure names is restricted only to their legitimate account owners, and termed as "false" any claims that people are reserving popular or well-known usernames.
A 52-year-old labourer, Santosh Kumar Gupta, has been arrested in New Delhi for allegedly facilitating an online investment fraud by lending his bank account to route Rs 5 lakh of defrauded money. He is suspected of acting as an India-based facilitator for an international cyber fraud network.
The Indian government has issued a notice to Meta regarding WhatsApp's upcoming username feature, warning the platform not to roll it out until concerns about potential fraud, impersonation, and public safety are addressed to the government's satisfaction.
